At Q2, we love to do interesting and exciting shows and our history is peppered with unusual versions of traditional shows and obscure plays that have been a huge hit. With this in mind, we are delighted to be able to announce that for Autumn 2019, we will be performing an original piece written by our very own secretary, Genni Trickett.

Living Memory is the bitter sweet story of two couples who live at the same address, in different times in history, and are struggling to cope with a personal tragedy. The committee read through a large selection of shows for Autumn and agreed that this particular piece was incredibly special and we hope that you feel the same way too.

The performance dates will be 28th-30th November 2019 at The National Archives in Kew and the cast is as follows:

Jo (mid-late thirties)

Jerry (mid-late thirties)

Ruby (mid-forties – early-fifties)

Frank (mid-forties – early-fifties)

Russell (early forties)

Rachel (Early forties)

Gracie (early-mid-thirties)

If you’d like to read through the script to see whether you’d be interested in auditioning, please email us and we will send you over a PDF copy. The official read through will be held on Wednesday 21st August with auditions on Wednesday 28th August. If you are likely to be on away for the audition date, please let us know so that an alternative can be arranged!

As you’re aware, we held auditions this week for our Spring production The Importance of Being Earnest. It was an extremely well attended audition with lots of incredible talent to choose from and we were incredibly sad to have to turn people down, especially considering the high caliber of auditionees for the show!

However, we are delighted to be able to announce that the cast for The Importance of Being Earnest is as follows:

Algernon: Hugh Cox

Jack: David Tedora

Gwendolen: Rachel Burnham

Cecily: Ellie Greenwood

Lady Bracknell: Tim Williams

Dr Chasuble: Craig Cameron-Fisher

Miss Prism: Laurie Coombs

Lane: Kurt (Cubby) Walton

Merriman: Paul Huggins

You may notice a few familiar faces from past shows or other groups within the borough, but we are particularly thrilled to welcome Ellie, Rachel and David as new members to Q2.

Sarah has let us know that she’s planning on setting the play in the period it was written (late 1890s). However, she is keen to stress that she is willing to make a few changes depending on who auditions, for example, she is more than happy for Lady Bracknell to be played by a male actor, as long as he suits the role. For both Miss Prism and Dr Chasuble, she will be considering gender blind casting if someone is right for either role, which, while not necessarily period, one can’t help but to feel, might have been something that Oscar Wilde would’ve appreciated. So, even if you’re not sure if there is a role for you, why not come along on Wednesday and see how it will work and whether you want to give it a go! Don’t forget you can download the audition pieces in advance by clicking here.

While we’re on the subject of upcoming shows, rumour has it that the committee are hoping to showcase one of the incredible plays written by our amazing secretary, Genni Trickett for our Autumn 2019 production. Genni submitted not one, but THREE incredible and varied scripts for Autumn and the committee are facing a tough decision about which one to go for. Having read them all, I can say with absolute certainty to that no matter which one we go for, audiences are sure to be amazed by her incredible talent!

Happy New Year to all our members and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new to the read through on Wednesday!

With a spectacular first rehearsal under our belt, we’re now ready to announce the full cast for Three Bags Full, which will be our first production at The National Archives from 22nd – 24th November!

We’re very excited to welcome back some long-standing Q2 members as well as several new members, in what is set to be a very funny show, with a very strong cast.

As well as having an excellent cast, we have been investigating online ticketing and are pleased to announce that tickets for Three Bags Full can now be purchased using a credit or debit card online as well as by emailing or phoning us as usual. To buy tickets online, you’ll need to go to http://seaty.co.uk//ThreeBagsFull Otherwise, box office is available by emailing us at tickets@q2players.org.uk or by calling 07957 587230 between 6-8.30pm.

We’re excited to be able to reveal the flier for Three Bags Full – we’re looking forward to reading through the script SO much that the flier is ready to go even before we’ve held the auditions. How organised is director Tony?

As the summer progresses, we were pleased to welcome our members and friends to join us at an informal play reading evening at The National Archives on Wednesday. Attendees were shown around The Events Space and were treated to a stellar performance directed by experienced member, Laurie Coombs and starring Genni Trickett, Elizabeth Parker, Mia Skytte, Polly Beauwin and Alison Arnold. Considering only 2 (and a half) rehearsals were undertaken, we were all overwhelmed by the excellent performance and people were excited to experience our new space first hand for the first time!

The view from the Events Space looking out over The National ArchivesThe play reading in full swing

Needless to say, the committee left full of ideas for staging our first full show, Three Bags Full, in November.

Also this week, new director Lily Tomlinson got started with rehearsals for her play reading on Wednesday 22nd August back at the Scout Hut. Although only 3/5 of the cast could be present, it was a great start to what looks to be a very funny evening. Get the date in your diary now!

Finally, after some interesting research into different versions of the play, we are pleased to announce that our second show at The National Archives will be The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, directed by Sarah Hill who recently appeared as Mrs French in Ravenscroft and has previously helped out with lighting and tech support at Q2 over the years. We are extremely excited to have Sarah on board to direct for us.

Don’t forget that the read through and auditions for Three Bags Full are coming up and our AGM is on Wednesday 5th September too!

Over the summer Q2 Players host three rehearsed readings in the Scout Hut from 8pm. These readings are for members, potential members and their invited guests and are always well attended. Potential directors are invited to submit a play to the committee and select actors from our members who will then rehearse the play 2 or 3 times. Summer play readings have then sometimes gone on to be performed as full productions in later seasons. There is a small cover charge to attend our summer readings, however, this includes your first drink free.

The first of our summer readings is this Wednesday 11th July (unfortunately clashing with a certain sporting tournament that England seem to be doing quite well in) and is directed by Alison Arnold, who is a first time director with Q2. Alison has a strong cast which includes Hugh Cox, Wendy Grossman, Cat Lamin, Paul Huggins, Jess Warrior and Craig Cameron-Fisher with a guest appearance by Chris Hodges.

Our second summer reading on 1st August is limited to members only as this is a special welcome event for us at the National Archives. The piece will be directed by experienced director and former chair, Laurie Coombs whose cast includes Genni Trickett, Polly Beauwin, Elizabeth Parker, Alison Arnold and Mia Skytte.

The final rehearsed reading will be directed by new director Lily Tomlinson, we are delighted to support Lily with taking her first steps towards directing. Keep your eyes open for casting updates soon.

Our summer picnic will also be on Sunday 5th August so hopefully we’ll see lots of our members there!

Q2 were delighted and honoured to be asked to participate in the National Archives event, “Law Breakers, Law Makers” charting the progress of women’s suffrage last week. Here are a few photos of our lovely actors all dressed up for the event.

We have been asked to make clear to readers that the Alexandra Hall is a part of the Kew Community Centre and administered by the Kew Community Trust. There is no suggestion that the Q2 Players have had to leave as the result of any action taken by St Luke’s Parish Church. We apologise to the Church officers if our announcement has been unintentionally misleading.